How to Meet Someone in the Wild (Without Feeling Awkward About It)

Tired of dating apps?

Step away from the screen and start meeting people “in the wild”—without feeling awkward or forced. From morning beach walks to claiming your own weekend hangout, these simple, low-effort habits can put you right where the right person (or their well-connected friend) might just notice you. Bonus: you’ll be living a life you love—whether you meet someone or not.

Let’s be honest—no one’s likely to stop you mid-jog or wave you down while you’re coasting on your bike, sweaty ponytail flying in the breeze. That’s movie magic. In real life, if you want to meet someone “in the wild,” you’ve got to be intentional about putting yourself in places and situations where the kind of person you’re looking for might also spend time.

Here’s the trick: it’s not about chasing anyone down—it’s about creating overlap. Frequent the places that naturally fit into the lifestyle you already love, but also happen to attract the kind of person you’d like to meet. And then? Be consistent. Let people see you there more than once. Familiarity makes you approachable.

If you live near the beach, try this: a few mornings a week, get up before sunrise, take a walk along the shore, and soak in the quiet before the day begins. Health-minded, successful men are often up early and outside, and if you’d like to meet someone who also values starting the day with fresh air and movement, put yourself in that space—again and again. You’ll be healthier and happier for it, and who knows? You might just strike up a conversation with someone who’s also become part of the morning crowd.

And don’t limit yourself to bars in the evenings—that’s so passé if you’re looking for something deep, healthy, and lasting. Instead, take a sunset walk in a scenic area where other active, age-appropriate people tend to gather. Find a park bench you can “claim” for an hour on weekends—bring a book, a podcast, or a snack, and become a pleasant, familiar face in a place where you’d actually enjoy lingering.

Love boating but don’t own a boat? Go where the boaters are. Stroll the docks, grab a smoothie by the marina, or bring your journal and let the water inspire you. By showing up where your kind of people spend their free time, you’re opening the door to organic, effortless connections.

For me? I know I’d never be happy with someone whose idea of excitement is endless nights at the bar or dining in pricey restaurants every weekend. I want someone who’s just as happy cooking at home, then getting a little active—whether it’s pounding the pavement, dancing in the kitchen, or enjoying the kind of connection that gets your heart rate up in more ways than one.

Now, don’t get me wrong—while you’re single, it’s worth taking yourself out to eat a time or two each week. Think of it as equal parts self-care and serendipity. I’m drawn to a sunny brunch spot, a breezy outdoor lunch, or maybe a sultry dinner at the sushi bar, an intimate Italian table, or a lively Mediterranean café. You won’t meet anyone staying home every night, and sometimes a woman dining solo sends the most intriguing signal of all: I’m comfortable in my own company… but I’m open to yours.

When it comes to dining out solo, I like to mix things up—never being predictable. After all, you’re treating yourself, and variety keeps it fun. For me, that also means being intentional about where I go. I’m not looking to attract someone who’s a fixture at a bar, because that’s not an easy habit to break—and let’s be honest, it’s not the kind of habit I want to share. The goal is to put yourself in environments that match the kind of life you want to live, not ones where people are getting a little too tipsy and you risk becoming “that girl” who can always be found there.

5 Low-Effort Ways to Put Yourself in the Path of Love

1. Own Your Morning Spot

Pick a place—beach, park, coffee shop patio—and make it part of your weekly rhythm. Show up at the same time, a few days a week. Familiarity makes you more approachable, and you’ll start recognizing (and being recognized by) other regulars.

2. Take the Scenic Route

Walk or bike somewhere you could have driven. Bonus points if your route takes you past dog parks, farmers markets, or waterfront paths where people naturally slow down to chat.

3. “Accidentally” Join a Crowd

Sign up for a group activity that matches your interests—beach yoga, hiking meetups, art lessons, bread making, pasta making, historical walking tours, birding. You’re doing something you love, surrounded by people who already share at least one interest.

4. Stake Out a Weekend Hangout

Find a bench, a dock, or a sunny outdoor café table and make it your weekend ritual. Read, write, sip a smoothie, people-watch. The more you show up, the more approachable you become to the right kind of curious stranger.

5. Make Small Talk a Habit

You don’t have to be a comedian or a smooth talker—just start with “good morning” or “lovely day, isn’t it?” These little exchanges can build comfort and, eventually, spark something bigger.

Honey Note 🍯

Love rarely knocks when you’re sitting at home in your pajamas—unless your delivery driver is your soulmate (and hey, you never know… though I don’t answer for deliveries, so that one’s off the table for me, lol). More often, it finds you when you’re out there living the life you love. So claim your spots, make your rounds, and let the world see you in your natural element. The right person—or the right person’s friend who’s been dying to set them up with someone nice—will notice.

And when you do meet someone, may your connection feel like that perfect mix of comfort and energy—the kind that makes you want to linger a little longer after dinner… and maybe work up a different kind of heartbeat later. 😉

💛 Yours in sunshine, sea breezes, and serendipity,

MaryNell ✨ (aka Honey)

P.S. Show up as you. The real you. Don’t twist yourself into someone else’s shape just to fit a stranger’s idea of perfect. If they don’t like you for exactly who you are, that’s your sign to keep walking—preferably toward someone who does. 💛 Wait for the one with whom conversation feels effortless, where the spark is undeniable, and where you both make each other better simply by being together as one.